Weird Interview Questions Leave IT Job Hunters Scratching Their Heads

By Corinne Bernstein |
Posted 2013-01-18

Don't Have a Cow

The question from Google to a local quality evaluator candidate was, "How many cows are in Canada?" You can't type this question into Google or any other search engine during an interview, but it does make you think and could lead to lively discussion.

Sing, Sing a Song

The question from Dell for a consumer sales candidate was, "What songs best describe your work ethic?" Try not to make your answers so singsong. But one Dell interviewee recommends being clear and concise, so that the interviewer can move on to other issues.

Opportunity of a Lifetime?

The question from Amazon for a product development candidate was, "Jeff Bezos walks into your office and says you can have $1 million to launch your best entrepreneurial idea. What is it?" The answer could spark some tough follow-up questions. Better bone up on Amazon and its culture before the interview.

Seeking Perfection

The question from Novell to a software engineer candidate was, "How would people communicate in a perfect world?" This would test a candidate's creativity and knowledge of communications. Novell also asked the interviewee to provide a three-word self-description and to say why he wanted to work there.

Hungry for a Job?

The question from Astron Consulting for an office manager candidate was, "How do you make a tuna sandwich?" Some interviewees at the telecom and IT services and technology firm would relish this opportunity to offer good directions.

Bursting Into Song

The question from LivingSocial for an Adventures city manager candidate was, "What's Your Favorite Song? Perform it for us now." Picking a song and singing it isn't easy for everyone. Looks like the deal-of-the-day Website is looking for employees who aren't shy.

Geometry Test

The question from Bank of America to a software developer candidate was, "Calculate the angle of two clock pointers when the time is 11:50?" Most IT pros have a strong math background, but doing the calculations under pressure could be challenging.

Honesty Check

The question from Jiffy Software to a candidate for a software architect position was, "Have you ever stolen a pen from work?" In response to the mobile app developer's question, one commenter on Glassdoor's site wrote, "Yes, but not on purpose," while another wrote, "Have U?"

Mixing Things Up

The question from Bandwidth.com for a marketer candidate was, "What kitchen utensil would you be?" Looks like the communications services company is seeking creative thinkers. Most people could easily identify with food-related analogies.

An Embarrassing Ring

The question from Kimberly-Clark for a biomedical engineer candidate was, "If you had turned your cell phone to silent, and it rang really loudly despite [its] being on silent, what would you tell me?" It looks like the consumer packaged goods company is checking how diplomatic the interviewee could be when put on the hot seat.

Being Ready

The question from Salesforce.com to a sales representative candidate was, "If you could be anybody else, who would it be?" Candidates told Glassdoor it's important to do homework before an interview with Salesforce and that questions were job-specific and depended on who conducted the interview. Salesforce asked a technical project manager about applying agile methods, for example.